Written answers

Wednesday, 25 October 2006

UN RepresentationQuestion 82: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a statement made by the UN's Deputy Secretary General to the effect that he believes the European...

Maritime RightsQuestion 83: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Turkish authorities refusal to dock to a boat (details supplied) on 29 June 2006 in violation of international laws of the...

Nuclear Disarmament InitiativeQuestion 84: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view of the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty of which Ireland was an author in view of the recent reported nuclear test by North Korea;...

Human Rights IssuesQuestion 85: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of contact between his Department and the Government of Burma regarding human rights abuses in that country; and if he will make a...

Nuclear SafetyQuestion 86: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way Ireland will vote at the next meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group in relation to the US India agreement; when the next meeting of...

Nuclear Non-ProliferationQuestion 87: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Iranian nuclear programme has recently been discussed by European Union Foreign Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the...

Human Rights IssuesQuestion 88: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political and security situation in East Timor; the outstanding issues for resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Foreign ConflictsQuestion 89: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the tabling of an all-party motion of Dáil and Seanad Éireann on the crisis in Darfur, urging the Sudanese Government to...

European Security and Defence PolicyQuestion 91: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps taken to work toward the development of new EU battlegroup formations along with Ireland's European counterparts; and if he will...

Decentralisation ProgrammeQuestion 92: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of development specialists volunteering to decentralise within Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34432/06]

HIV-AIDS AgreementQuestion 95: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature of the agreement signed on 29 September 2006 with former president Mr. Bill Clinton to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa; and if he...

Human Rights IssuesQuestion 96: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding the whereabouts of a person (details supplied) who had been the subject of an Amnesty International urgent action as...

Decentralisation ProgrammeQuestion 97: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made in the decentralisation of his Department's overseas aid division, Irish Aid, to Limerick; if he is satisfied that the...

EU Security and Defence PolicyQuestion 99: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the basis for a decision of Ireland on the participation of Irish troops in humanitarian or crisis management tasks mounted by the European...

Nuclear Non-ProliferationQuestion 100: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his view as to whether the Proliferation Security Initiative, led by the United States since May 2003, is of assistance to or undermines the...

Northern Ireland IssuesQuestion 101: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, further to paragraph 11 of the St. Andrews Agreement, he will clarify what will happen should any of the parties in Northern Ireland...

Overseas Development AidQuestion 103: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of aid allocated the countries of the Middle East for 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34423/06]

International AgreementsQuestion 106: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to Turkey's accession to the Energy Community Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34418/06]

Debt ReliefQuestion 109: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which IMF and World Bank commitments for third world debt relief have been honoured; and if he will make a statement on the...

EU Accession NegotiationsQuestion 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest meetings and debates regarding the proposed accession of Turkey to the European Union; the initiatives or suggestions Ireland has...

Foreign ConflictsQuestion 111: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political and security situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34440/06]

Overseas Humanitarian AidQuestion 112: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the development of a rapid response initiative to strengthen Ireland's capability to respond to emergency...

Decentralisation ProgrammeQuestion 113: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the sourcing of a property to house the decentralised Irish Aid operation; and if he will make a statement on...

Foreign ConflictsQuestion 114: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position in the Democratic Republic of Congo; the initiatives proposed at EU level to help alleviate the suffering of innocent...

Northern Ireland IssuesQuestion 116: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, further to the St. Andrews negotiations, he expects Sinn Féin to fully endorse the Police Service of Northern Ireland and take their...

Foreign ConflictsQuestion 120: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in regard to the public statement issued on 30 July 2006 regarding the heavy loss of life arising from an Israeli air strike on the...

Human Rights IssuesQuestion 122: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received the full written report he requested from the US authorities regarding the incident of 11 June 2006 when a civilian...

EU EnlargementQuestion 123: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the negotiations he has held with his European counterparts with regard to the opening of labour markets to the citizens of Bulgaria...

Nuclear SafetyQuestion 125: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions on Sellafield and nuclear power which took place at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference meeting in Hillsborough...

Illegal ImmigrantsQuestion 128: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts being undertaken by his Department to work with counterpart Departments across the European Union to combat human trafficking;...

International AgreementsQuestion 131: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outstanding issues which are to be resolved by the Government of Romania in preparation for EU accession; and if he will make a...

Foreign ConflictsQuestion 133: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he, his Department and the EU have made to ameliorate the suffering of the Palestinian people since the EU cut off financial aid...

Human Rights IssuesQuestion 134: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Mexico where mass electoral fraud has been alleged in the recent presidential election...

Foreign ConflictsQuestion 136: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the financial and other economic implications for the Cypriot economy from the unilateral and punitive...

Human Rights IssuesQuestion 138: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on recent meetings with Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng; if Amnesty International's recent report on human rights or other...

Overseas Development AidQuestion 141: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the moneys allocated to Irish Aid for 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34431/06]

EU Accession NegotiationsQuestion 142: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest meetings and debates concerning the proposed accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union; the initiatives or...

Convention RatificationQuestion 148: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when Ireland will be in a position to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption; the number of European Union countries that...

Arms TradeQuestion 149: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the ban imposed by Ireland in July 2006 on the shipment of munitions through State airports to Israel, is still in place; if there were...

Emigrant Support ServicesQuestion 154: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his recent trip to New York and his meeting with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform and other groups dealing with...

Garda EquipmentQuestion 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 25 April 2006, when the radio system in Ennis Garda Station will...

Proposed LegislationQuestion 156: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to legalise fireworks; his views on whether this would ensure a safer use of the products currently...

Road Traffic AccidentsQuestion 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the functions of An Garda Síochána when called to a road traffic accident; and if, where there is evidence...

Garda StationsQuestion 159: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to a parliamentary question (details supplied), the priority which has been allocated to the purchase...

Registration of TitleQuestion 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress to date on a dealing (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [34754/06]

Crime PreventionQuestion 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department proposes to accept their responsibilities as the funding agency for the Bris programme...

Departmental PropertiesQuestion 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in recent times, property has been acquired or disposed of in the Dublin area by or on behalf of an...

Garda OperationsQuestion 163: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda horse patrols and dog patrols take place in Limerick; the stations to which they are attached; the...

Garda DeploymentQuestion 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government will appoint an additional Assistant Garda Commissioner to take charge of the force in...

Garda StrengthQuestion 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí by rank in the Limerick division; the stations to which they are attached; the way the...

Residency PermitsQuestion 166: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to permission to remain here for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow....

Garda DeploymentQuestion 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí working in community policing in the Mountjoy station in 2005 and in 2006; the ranking...

Northern Ireland IssuesQuestion 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he shares the concerns of a member of the British House of Commons regarding the alleged activities of MI6...

Departmental BodiesQuestion 169: To ask the Minister for Finance further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 18 October 2006, if he will instruct the Hidden Economy Working Group to commence meetings...

Decentralisation ProgrammeQuestion 170: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the decentralisation of Revenue Commissioner positions to Newcastle West; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Tax CodeQuestion 171: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the liability of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 11 for the payment of stamp duty on the purchase of a home; and if he will...

State AirportsQuestion 172: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of flights per airport that arrived at Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports at times when no customs officers were rostered for duty for...

Health ServicesQuestion 173: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to a company (details supplied) carrying out activities in a residential area; her views on whether this...

Care of the ElderlyQuestion 174: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in implementing the Food Safety Authority of Ireland's 2000 recommendations for a national food and...

Hospital ServicesQuestion 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding progress to develop a hospice, Alzheimer care and other facilities at St. Ita's Hospital in Newcastle West; and...

Child Care ServicesQuestion 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the funding which has recently been made available to a centre (details supplied); the funding for crèche facilities being made...

Medical CardsQuestion 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a medical card application for a person (details supplied) in County Cork which was submitted at end of August...

Hospital ServicesQuestion 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason there was no dentist available on a Saturday night at University College Hospital, Galway to attend a person (details...

Child Care ServicesQuestion 180: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people in County Mayo for 2005 and 2006 who have been awarded supplementary welfare allowance for assistance with the cost...

Child AbuseQuestion 181: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will initiate a scheme of redress for people who suffered abuse while in foster care; if her Department has records of such...

Health ServicesQuestion 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that students referred for orthodontic assessment while in sixth class primary school can be...

Medical CardsQuestion 185: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons with medical cards who attend hospital and are issued with a prescription, must...

Hospital ServicesQuestion 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the cancellation of two appointments in respect of a person (details supplied) at a hospital in County Cork....

Hospital ProceduresQuestion 188: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) was kept sitting in a chair in the accident and emergency section of the Mater Public Hospital,...

Community CareQuestion 189: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to representations of 5 October 2006 regarding a homecare package for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who has...

Health ServicesQuestion 190: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if an appointment can be made as a matter of urgency; and if...

Community CareQuestion 191: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of hours provided by the home help service, by county, for each of the years 2002 to 2005; and if she will make a statement...

National Treatment Purchase FundQuestion 192: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients who have received treatment under the National Treatment Purchase Fund, on a county basis, each year since the...

Hospital ProceduresQuestion 193: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) was left on a trolley at a hospital for three days. [34886/06]

Hospital ServicesQuestion 194: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extent to which blood-testing in the public hospital system is contracted out to private laboratories; her Department's policy in...

Nursing Home SubventionsQuestion 195: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when her Department will make enhanced subvention available to the people of County Mayo; her views on whether the people of Mayo are...

Health ServicesQuestion 196: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the shortage of chiropodists here, in particular, the lack of training facilities for chiropodists...

Mobile TelephonyQuestion 197: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the health implications for residents who live near large mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement...

Aquaculture LicencesQuestion 198: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the discussions that have taken place or that are intended to take place to advance with local fishermen the...

Electricity GenerationQuestion 199: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the equipment that generates electricity which requires a licence from the CER to operate and the circumstances...

EU TreatiesQuestion 203: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the EU Constitutional Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34716/06]

Decentralisation ProgrammeQuestion 204: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of principal and senior development specialists volunteering to decentralise with Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on...

Cross-Border ProjectsQuestion 205: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason for the delay in opening a Border crossing (details supplied) in County Donegal which is holding back economic development...

Departmental OfficesQuestion 207: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on locating a passport office for the western region in County Mayo, particularly with the success of the regional airport. [34774/06]

Foreign ConflictsQuestion 213: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree of discussion that has taken place at EU or UN level in regard to the situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement...

Overseas Development AidQuestion 214: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree of success achieved to date in dealing with HIV and AIDS throughout the African continent; and if he will make a statement on the...

Arts FundingQuestion 220: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the development of a new west Cork arts centre in Skibbereen; and if he will sanction the necessary funding to enable...

Swimming Pool ProjectsQuestion 221: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to accept new applications for grant aid under the local authority swimming pool programme, in view of the fact that the...

Job CreationQuestion 222: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the provision of replacement industries in County Limerick arising from the recent closure of...

Company LandsQuestion 223: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount of undeveloped and unoccupied land and property owned by a company (details supplied) in County Limerick; and...

Industrial DevelopmentQuestion 226: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of IDA supported enterprises that have ceased operations in County Clare since 2000; the location of same; the...

Community EnterpriseQuestion 228: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the plans of a society (details supplied) to develop a community enterprise centre; if...

Community Employment SchemesQuestion 229: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a restriction imposed by lack of funding on the number of people...

Departmental CorrespondenceQuestion 230: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will have the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) investigated; and if he will make a statement on the...

Social Welfare BenefitsQuestion 231: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will introduce a national refuse waiver similar to other free schemes which operate for old age pensioners and other social...

Pension ProvisionsQuestion 232: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on providing an option to the dependent spouses of recipients of an old age pension whereby they could receive their own...

Social Welfare BenefitsQuestion 233: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons who received rent allowance in 2003, 2004 and 2005; and the cost to his Department for each respective year....

Child SupportsQuestion 234: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people in County Mayo for 2005 and 2006 who have been given supplementary welfare allowance for assistance with the...

Social Welfare BenefitsQuestion 235: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the population catchment and number served by his Department offices in Dublin 15 for each of the past five years; if statistics...

Social Welfare InvestigationsQuestion 241: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 254 of 18 October 2006, the overall targets set for claim processing, for each of the...

Search and Rescue ServiceQuestion 242: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1102 of 27 September 2006, if negotiations have been entered into with the landowner of the current site...

Public TransportQuestion 243: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the lack of public transport in the area he will allow people required to travel from Labasheeda and Liscannor, County Clare to...

Railway StationsQuestion 245: To ask the Minister for Transport the new train stations planned on the Maynooth commuter line and on the proposed Clonsilla-Navan line; and the date these stations will be...

Road SafetyQuestion 249: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the schools that have applied for the provision of flashing or warning lights to slow down traffic in view of the...

Community DevelopmentQuestion 250: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on grant aiding the development of a community enterprise centre (details supplied) from the Dormant...

National Development PlanQuestion 251: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 17 October 2006, the number of times all the State agencies met in each year from 2000 to...

Passports for AnimalsQuestion 252: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to an application for an EU pet passport for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when this...

Grant PaymentsQuestion 253: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the single farm payment has not been made to persons (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement...

School AccommodationQuestion 255: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on providing funding to provide an additional permanent classroom instead of the prefab approved in respect of a gaelscoil...

Schools RefurbishmentQuestion 256: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the refurbishment or reconstruction of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [34681/06]

Special Educational NeedsQuestion 258: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason funding has been withdrawn by her Department that permitted parents to attend special ABA courses in respect of autism; if...

Higher Education GrantsQuestion 260: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a higher education grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the...

Educational DisadvantageQuestion 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the terms or conditions for schools to be included in the DEIS programme. [34732/06]

Disadvantaged StatusQuestion 264: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the case of a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary on behalf of which an application has been made for...

Psychological ServiceQuestion 265: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a psychologist will be appointed to a school (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the...

School StaffingQuestion 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of teachers who are Members of Dáil Éireann who have not resigned their teaching position and have substitute teachers...

Pupil-Teacher RatioQuestion 267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide a breakdown in class size figures for primary schools per county, for the school year beginning September 2006 and...

School EnrolmentsQuestion 268: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average age at which infants enter primary school for the first time in each county; the number of schools per county which...

Special Educational NeedsQuestion 270: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will fund and support the NIID course in Trinity College for adults with a disability. [34880/06]

Water and Sewerage SchemesQuestion 273: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason for the delay in the provision of the proposed sewage scheme in Athea, County Limerick. [34687/06]

Legislative ProgrammeQuestion 275: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is intended to enact sections 55 to 62 of the Local Government Act 2001 before 1 December 2006; and if...

Grant PaymentsQuestion 276: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding a development (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will clarify the reason for...

Social and Affordable HousingQuestion 278: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of housing units here; the number of these which are affordable housing units; and the number...

Local Authority HousingQuestion 280: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide a breakdown by local authority of the number of applicants on local authority housing...